Dwarf Alberta Spruce 
(Picea Conica Glauca) 
NE of the most interesting oddities among Evergreens. It 
is of extremely narrow, pyramidal growth, thickly covered 
with short, close set. twiggy branches and clothed in grass 
green leaves. It is unlike any other Evergreen, both in shape and 
general appearance so that it always attracts attention. 
The parent tree is in the Arnold Arboretum, at Jamaica Plain, 
Massachusetts. It was found in the Canadian Rockies at Lake 
Laggan in 1904, by Mr. J. G. Jack, of the Arnold Arboretum staff. 
Its annual growth is only one-half inch to one inch so that many 
years are required to raise the trees in the nursery. As it must be 
grown by small cuttings or grafts, at least ten to twelve years 
growth is represented in one to two foot trees. 
Some of the oldest trees in the country are about five feet high, 
still retaining their characteristic habits. 
It is perfectly hardy in this climate, but there is only one danger 
for which we must look out. If exposed to the south this little tree 
may be burned by the winter sun and winds. Snow which easily 
collects in the dense branches will, if melted by the sun, change to 
ice and have the effect of a lens. No serious damage will then re- 
sult, except a browning and shedding of some of the needles. It is 
advisable, therefore, to shade it toward the south during winter. 
This is easily done by fastening a piece of burlap to two stakes, 
setting at the south side of the trees. It prefers a partially shaded, 
rather moist location, and winter protection is then unnecessary. 
We can speak from experience as we have tested a group of trees 
on our own grounds for the last 20 years. 
Many planting uses suggest themselves for this little tree. For 
formal effect in terraces and gardens and rock gardens, it is proving 
of great interest and value. 
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‘Witches Brooms” is the name given to the curious, nest-like de- 
formities found at times on otherwise normal trees. They are a dense, 
thick growth of smalltwigs and branches thought to be formed by insect 
irritations. When grafts are taken from these growths, an extremely 
dwarf tree will frequently result. Many of the dwarf types of Evergreens 
in the trade, particularly dwarf Spruce, were developed from these 
curious freaks. 

Dwarf Alberta Spruce 
Nest-Shaped Spruce 
(Picea excelsa nidiformis) 
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T WAS found in cultivation near Hamburg, 
Germany, and described by the introducer 
in 1906 as ‘‘a round plate-like, fan-forming 
form with a dense nest-like mass of branchlets 
where the leading shoot should be.” 
It is of such extraordinary dense form, so 
densely branched that one wonders how the light 
ever gets to the lower branches. Branchlets in 
tight layers, the whole forming a dense impene- 
trable head. 
It grows slowly, 34 inch to 134 inch yearly. 
This is one of the few truly dwarf Evergreens. 
Ultimate size is a matter dependent entirely 
upon conditions. 

Evergreen trees are ideal subjects for screens and heavy borders. They retain their branches 
to the ground and when planted closely together as in this picture they are effective, both as 
a protection from wind and as a screen for any purpose. Trees in the foreground of this 
Nest Shaped Spruce planting are Concolor Fir, Koster Blue Spruce and Austrian Pine 
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